Indolylalkylidenehydrazine-carboximidamide derivatives as 5-hydroxytryptamine-6 ligands

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a compound of formula I and the use thereof for the therapeutic treatment of a disorder relating to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor.

[0001] This application claims priority from copending provisional application Serial No. 60/379,479, filed May 10, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various central nervous system disorders such as anxiety, depression, motor disorders, etc., are believed to involve a disturbance of the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or serotonin. Serotonin is localized in the central and peripheral nervous systems and is known to affect many types of conditions including psychiatric disorders, motor activity, feeding behavior, sexual activity, and neuroendocrine regulation among others. The effects of serotonin are regulated by the various 5-HT receptor subtypes. Known 5-HT receptors include the 5-HT1 family (e.g. 5-HT1 A), the 5-HT2 family (e.g. 5-HT2A), 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT5, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 subtypes.

[0003] The recently identified human 5-hydroxytryptamine-6 (5-HT6) receptor subtype has been cloned, and the extensive distribution of its mRNA has been reported. Highest levels of 5-HT6 receptor mRNA have been observed in the olfactory tubercle, the striatum, nucleus accumbens, dentate gyrus and CA1, CA2 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Lower levels of 5-HT6 receptor mRNA are seen in the granular layer of the cerebellum, several diencephalic nuclei, amygdala and in the cortex. Northern blots have revealed that 5-HT6 receptor mRNA appears to be exclusively present in the brain, with little evidence for its presence in peripheral tissues. The high affinity of a number of antipsychotic agents for the 5-HT6 receptor, in addition to its mRNA localization in striatum, olfactory tubercle and nucleus accumbens suggests that some of the clinical actions of these compounds may be mediated through this receptor. Therefore, 5-HT6 receptor ligands are believed to be of potential use in the treatment of certain CNS disorders such as anxiety, depression, epilepsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, migraine, cognitive memory enhancement (e.g. for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease), sleep disorders, feeding disorders (e.g. anorexia or bulimia), neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. stroke or head trauma), panic attacks, withdrawal from drug abuse (e.g. cocaine, ethanol, nicotine or benzodiazepines), schizophrenia, or the like; or in the treatment of certain gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide compounds which are useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor.

[0005] It is another object of this invention to provide therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor.

[0006] It is a feature of this invention that the compounds provided may also be used to further study and elucidate the 5-HT6 receptor.

[0007] These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent by the detailed description set forth hereinbelow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an indolylalkylidenehydrazinecarboximidamide compound of formula I

[0009] wherein

[0010] X is N or CR₃;

[0011] Y is N or CR₄;

[0012] Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR₁₁ or CSNR₁₂;

[0013] R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂R₁₃, CO₂ R₁₄, CONR₁₅ R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(n)R₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0014] R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring;

[0015] R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;

[0016] R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S;

[0017] R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl and Q is CO then R₁₀ must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl;

[0018] n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0019] R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0020] R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and

[0021] R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄alkyl group or R₂, and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S; or

[0022] the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0023] The present invention also provides methods and compositions useful for the therapeutic treatment of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The 5-hydroxytryptamine-6 (5-HT6) receptor is one of the most recent receptors to be identified by molecular cloning. Its ability to bind a wide range of therapeutic compounds used in psychiatry, coupled with its intriguing distribution in the brain has stimulated significant interest in new compounds which are capable of interacting with or affecting said receptor. Significant efforts are being made to understand the possible role of the 5-HT6 receptor in psychiatry, cognitive dysfunction, motor function and control, memory, mood and the like. To that end, compounds which demonstrate a binding affinity for the 5-HT6 receptor are earnestly sought both as an aid in the study of the 5-HT6 receptor and as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of central nervous system disorders, for example see C. Reavill and D.C. Rogers, Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs, 2001, 2(1):104-109, Pharma Press Ltd.

[0025] Surprisingly, it has now been found that indolylalkylidenehydralzinecarboximidamide derivatives of formula I demonstrate 5-HT6 affinity. Advantageously, said amide derivatives may be used as effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders associated with or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor. Accordingly, the present invention provides indolylalkylidenehydrazinecarboximidamide derivatives of formula 1.

[0026] wherein

[0027] X is N or CR₃;

[0028] Y is N or CR₄;

[0029] Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR₁₁ or CSNR₁₂;

[0030] R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂R₁₃, CO₂ R₁₄, CONR₁₅R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(n)R₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0031] R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂Cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring;

[0032] R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted; R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S;

[0033] R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl and Q is CO then R₁₀,must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl;

[0034] n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2;

[0035] R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0036] R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0037] R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and

[0038] R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄alkyl group or R₂, and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S; or

[0039] the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0040] As used in the specification and claims, the term halogen designates Br, Cl, I or F and the term cycloheteroalkyl designates a C₅-C₇cycloalkyl ring system containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms, which may be the same or different, selected from N, O or S and optionally containing one double bond. Exemplary of the cycloheteroalkyl ring systems included in the term as designated herein are the following rings wherein W is NR, O or S; and R is H or an optional substituent as described hereinbelow:

[0041] Similarly, as used in the specification and claims, the term heteroaryl designates a C₅-C₁₀ aromatic ring system containing 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, which may be the same or different, selected from N, O or S. Such heteroaryl ring systems include pyrrolyl, azolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, furyl, thienyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolinyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, benzisoxazolyl or the like. The term aryl designates carbocyclic aromatic ring systems such as phenyl, naphthyl, or the like. The term haloalkyl as used herein designates a C_(n)H_(2n+1) group having from one to 2n+1 halogen atoms which may be the same or different and the term haloalkoxy as used herein designates an OC_(n)H_(2n+1) group having from one to 2n+1 halogen atoms which may be the same or different.

[0042] Exemplary of the 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring systems having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S included in the term as designated herein are the following ring systems wherein W₂ is NR, O or S; and R is H or an optional substituent as described hereinbelow:

[0043] In the specification and claims, when the terms C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead are designated as being optionally substituted, the substituent groups which are optionally present may be one or more of those customarily employed in the development of pharmaceutical compounds or the modification of such compounds to influence their structure/activity, persistence, absorption, stability or other beneficial property. Specific examples of such substituents include halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, hydroxyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, formyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, alkylamido, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, cycloheteroalkyl or cycloalkyl groups, preferably halogen atoms or lower alkyl groups. Typically, 0-3 substituents may be present. When any of the foregoing substituents represents or contains an alkyl substituent group, this may be linear or branched and may contain up to 12, preferably up to 6, more preferably up to 4 carbon atoms.

[0044] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be any acid addition salt formed by a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable acid such as phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, citric, maleic, malonic, mandelic, succinic, fumaric, acetic, lactic, nitric, sulfonic, p-toluene sulfonic, methane sulfonic acid or the like.

[0045] Compounds of the invention include esters, carbamates or other conventional prodrug forms, which in general, are functional derivatives of the compounds of the invention and which are readily converted to the inventive active moiety in vivo. Correspondingly, the method of the invention embraces the treatment of the various conditions described hereinabove with a compound of formula I or with a compound which is not specifically disclosed but which, upon administration, converts to a compound of formula I in vivo. Also included are metabolites of the compounds of the present invention defined as active species produced upon introduction of these compounds into a biological system.

[0046] Compounds of the invention may exist as one or more stereoisomers. The various stereoisomers include enantiomers, diastereomers, atropisomers and geometric isomers. One skilled in the art will appreciate that one stereoisomer may be more active or may exhibit beneficial effects when enriched relative to the other stereoisomer(s) or when separated from the other stereoisomer(s). Additionally, the skilled artisan knows how to separate, enrich or selectively prepare said stereoisomers. Accordingly, the present invention comprises compounds of formula I, the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the invention may be present as a mixture of stereoisomers, individual stereoisomers, or as an optically active or enantiomerically pure form.

[0047] Preferred compounds of the invention are those compounds of formula I wherein Q is SO₂. Also preferred are those compounds of formula I wherein R₁₀ is an aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-member bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S. Another group of preferred compounds of formula I are those compounds wherein X is CR₃ and Y is CR₄.

[0048] More preferred compounds of the invention are those compounds of formula I wherein Q is SO₂ and R₉ is H. Another group of more preferred compounds are those compounds of formula I wherein Q is SO₂; X is CR₃; Y is CR₄; and R₉ is H. Further more preferred compounds are those formula I compounds wherein Q is SO₂; X is CR₃; Y is CR₄; R₉ is H; and R₁₀ is an aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 15-member bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S.

[0049] Exemplary of the compounds of the invention are:

[0050] 1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylhydrazone,

[0051] 2-({1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-l}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0052] 1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl(methyl)hydrazone,

[0053] 2-{cyclohexyl[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0054] 2-{2-methyl-1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0055] 2-{2-phenyl-1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0056] 2-{3-methyl-1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]butylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0057] 2-{(E,2E)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]prop-2-enylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0058] 2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0059] 2-{1-[5-chloro-2-methyl-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0060] 2-{1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0061] 2-{1-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0062] 2-{1-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0063] 2-{1-[2-(2-naphthyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0064] 2-{1-[2-phenyl-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0065] 2-{1-[5-cyano-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0066] 2-{1-[5-iodo-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0067] 2-{1-[5-nitro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0068] 2-{1-[5-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0069] 2-{[5-methoxy-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0070] 2-{[5-(benzyloxy)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0071] 2-(1-{1-[(2-amino-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0072] 2-(1-{1-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0073] 2-{1-[1-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4-ylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0074] 2-{1-[1-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0075] 2-(1-{1-[(4-bromo-2,5-dichlorothien-3-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0076] 2-(1-{1-[(4-bromo-5-chlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0077] 2-(1-{1-[(3-bromo-5-chlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0078] 2-(1-{1-[(4-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0079] 2-(1-{1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0080] 2-(1-{1-[(3-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0081] 2-(1-{1-[(5-bromothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0082] 2-(1-{1-[(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0083] 2-(1-{1-[(5-chloro-3-methyl-1-benzothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0084] 2-(1-{1-[(6-chloroimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazol-5-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0085] 2-(1-{1-[(5-chlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0086] 2-[1-(1-{[5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthyl]sulfonyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0087] 2-(1-{1-[(4,5-dibromothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0088] 2-(1-{1-[(2,5-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0089] 2-(1-{1-[(2,5-dichlorothien-3-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0090] 2-(1-{1-[(4,5-dichlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0091] 2-(1-{1-[(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0092] 2-(1-{1-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0093] 2-{1-[1-({5-[1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]thien-2-yl}sulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0094] 2-(1-{1-[(2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0095] 2-(1-{1-[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0096] 2-[1-(1-{[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]sulfonyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0097] 2-{1-[1-({5-[2-(methylthio)pyrimidin-4-yl]thien-2-yl}sulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0098] 2-{1-[1-(1-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0099] 2-(1-{1-[(2-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0100] 2-(1-{1-[(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0101] 2-(1-{1-[(5-pyridin-2-ylthien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0102] 2-[1-(1-{[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]sulfonyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide, phenyl 3-(1-{2-[amino(imino)methyl]hydrazono}ethyl)-1H-indole-1-carboxylate,

[0103] 3-(1-{2-[amino(imino)methyl]hydrazono}ethyl)-N-phenyl-1H-indole-1-carboxamide,

[0104] 2-[1-(1-benzoyl-1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0105] 2-{1-[1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0106] 2-{1-[1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0107] 2-{cyclopropyl[1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0108] 2-{1-[1-(butylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0109] 2-{1-[1-(butylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0110] 2-[[1-(butylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0111] 2-(1-{1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0112] 2-(1-{1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}pentylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0113] 2-(cyclopropyl{1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0114] 2-{1-[1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0115] 2-{1-[1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0116] 2-{cyclopropyl[1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0117] 2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0118] 2-{cyclopropyl[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0119] 2-(1-{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0120] 2-(1-{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}pentylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0121] 2-(cyclopropyl{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0122] 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0123] 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0124] 2-[[5-chloro-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0125] 2-{1-[1-(butylsulfonyl)-5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0126] 2-{1-[1-(butylsulfonyl)-5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0127] 2-[[1-(butylsulfonyl)-5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0128] 2-(1-{5-chloro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0129] 2-(1-{5-chloro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}pentylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0130] 2-[{5-chloro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}(cyclopropyl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0131] 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0132] 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0133] 2-[[5-chloro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0134] 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0135] 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-,(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0136] 2-[[5-chloro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0137] 2-(1-{5-chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0138] 2-(1-{5-chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}pentylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0139] 2-[{5-chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}(cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0140] 2-{1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0141] 2-{1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0142] 2-[[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0143] 2-[{2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}(cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0144] 2-[[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0145] 2-{1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0146] 2-{1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0147] 2-[[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0148] 2-(1-{2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0149] 2-[{2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}(cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0150] 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0151] 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0152] 2-{cyclopropyl[6-fluoro-1-(methylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0153] 2-{1-[1-(butylsulfonyl)-6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0154] 2-{1-[1-(butylsulfonyl)-6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0155] 2-[[1-(butylsulfonyl)-6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0156] 2-(1-{6-fluoro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0157] 2-(1-{6-fluoro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}pentylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0158] 2-(cyclopropyl{6-fluoro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0159] 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0160] 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0161] 2-{cyclopropyl[6-fluoro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0162] 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0163] 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0164] 2-{cyclopropyl[6-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0165] 2-(1-{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0166] 2-(1-{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl}pentylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0167] 2-(cyclopropyl{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0168] 2-{1-[5-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0169] 2-(1-{1-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl}propylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0170] 2-{1-[5-fluoro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0171] 2-(1-{1-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl}propylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0172] 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0173] N-pentyl-2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0174] 2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}-N-propylhydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0175] N-benzyl-2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0176] 2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0177] N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0178] 2-[6-chloro-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0179] 2-[6-chloro-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylhydrazone,

[0180] 2-[6-chloro-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl(methyl)hydrazone,

[0181] 2-[9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0182] 2-[6-bromo-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylhydrazone,

[0183] 2-[6-bromo-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl(methyl)hydrazone,

[0184] 2-[6-bromo-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0185] 2-[6-chloro-9-(methylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0186] 2-{6-chloro-9-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0187] 2-{9-[(2-amino-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)sulfonyl]-6-chloro-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0188] 2-[6-chloro-9-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0189] 2-{6-chloro-9-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide,

[0190] or the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0191] Compounds of the invention may be prepared using conventional synthetic methods and, if required, standard separation and isolation techniques. For example, compounds of formula I wherein Q is SO₂ and R₈ is H (Ia) may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula III with dimethylformamide (DMF) and phosporous oxychloride to give the 3-carboxaldehyde of formula III, sulfonylating the formula III compound with the appropriate sulfonyl chloride, ClSO₂R₁₀, in the presence of a base such as NaH to give the sulfonylated compound of formula IV and reacting the formula IV compound with an aminoguanidine derivative of formula V to give the desired product of formula Ia. The reaction sequence is shown in flow diagram 1.

[0192] Similarly, compounds of formula I wherein Q is SO₂ and R₈ is an optionally substituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group (Ib) may be prepared by acylating a formula II compound with an acyl halide, R₈CO-Hal, to give the 3-acyl compound of formula VI, sulfonylating the formula VI compound, and reacting the sulfonylated product with an aminoguanidine derivative of formula V, as described in flow diagram II, to give the desired formula Ib product. The reaction is shown in flow diagram II wherein Hal represents Cl, Br or I.

[0193] Compounds of formula I wherein Q is SO₂ and R₈ and R₉ are taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted six-membered ring (Ic) may be prepared by reacting 1,3-cyclohexanedione with a hydrazine of formula VII to form the hydrazone of formula VIII, heating said formula VII hydrazone in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to form the 4-oxocarbazole of formula IX, and sequentially sulfonylating the formula IV compound and reacting the sulfonylated product with an aminoguanidine derivative as described hereinabove to give the desired compound of formula Ic. The reaction scheme is shown in flow diagram III.

[0194] Compounds of formula I wherein R₈ and R₉ are taken together to form a 5- or 7-membered ring (Id) may be prepared by the regioselective oxidation of a ring fused indole system as described by Oikawa et al, Heterocyclic, 1976, 4, 1959 and Comp. Het. Chem., 1984, 4, 253 to give the intermediate of formula X which may be converted to the desired formula (Id) product. The reaction scheme is shown in flow diagram IV wherein n is 1, 2 or 3.

[0195] Compounds of formula I wherein Q is CO, CO₂, CONR₁₁ or CSNR₁₂ may be prepared by reacting the intermediates of formulas III, VI, IX or X with the appropriate acylhalide, α-haloester, isocyanate or isothiocyanate, respectively.

[0196] Azainodoles such as 4-azaindole or 7-azaindole may be prepared by methods described in the literature, i.e., I. Mahadevan, I., Rasmussen, M., J. Het. Chem., 1992, 29, 359-367; Hands, D.; Bishop, B.; Cameron, M.; Edwards, J. S.; Cottrell, I. F.; Wright, S. H. B., Synthesis, 1996, 877-882; Dobson, D.; Todd, A.; Gilmore, J., Synth. Commum. 1991, 21, 611-167. In addition, azaindoles are also available commercially.

[0197] Sulfonyl chlorides, R₁₀SO₂Cl, may be obtained commercially or prepared by conventional techniques. For example, 6-substituted-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazol-5-yl sulfonyl chlorides of formulas XIIIa and XIIIb may be prepared by reacting 2-amino-thiazole with chloroacetic acid or a suitable chloromethyl ketone to give 2-imino-4-thiazolin-3-ylacetic acid (XIa) or the 2-imino-4-thiazolin-3-yl ketone (XIb), respectively; reacting either XIa or XIb with POCl₃ to give, in the case of XIa, 6-chloroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole (XIIa) or, in the case of XIb, 6-substituted-imidazo[2,1-b] thiazole XIIb; and sequentially reacting the respective XIIa and XIIb compounds with chlorosulfonic acid and POCl₃ to give the desired sulfonyl chlorides of formulas XIIIa and XIIIb. The reactions are illustrated in flow diagram V wherein R represents an optional substituent as described hereinabove with the exclusion of halogen.

[0198] Advantageously, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula I which comprises reacting a compound of formula XIV with an aminoguanidine derivative of formula V in the presence of an acid, optionally in the presence of a solvent. The process is shown in flow diagram VI.

[0199] Acids suitable for use in the process of the invention include acids such as HCl, HBr, H₂SO₄, HNO₂ or the like, preferably HCl. Solvents suitable for use in the process of invention include protic solvents such as lower alkyl alcohols, i.e., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, propanol or the like, preferably isopropanol.

[0200] Advantageously, the inventive compound of formula I may be utilized in the treatment of central nervous system disorders relating to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor such as motor, mood, psychiatric, cognitive, neurodegenerative, or the like disorders, for example, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, epilepsy, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, migraine, sleep disorders, neurodegenerative disorders (such as head trauma or stroke), feeding disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia), schizophrenia, memory loss, disorders associated with withdrawal from drug or nicotine abuse, or the like or certain gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for the treatment of a disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) related to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor in a patient in need thereof which comprises providing said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

[0201] wherein

[0202] X is N or CR₃;

[0203] Y is N or CR₄;

[0204] Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR or CSNR₁₂;

[0205] R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂ R₁₃, CO₂ R₁₄, CONR₁₅ R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(n)R₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0206] R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring;

[0207] R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;

[0208] R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S;

[0209] R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl and Q is CO then R₁₀ must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl;

[0210] n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2;

[0211] R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0212] R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0213] R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and

[0214] R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂ R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄alkyl group or R₂₁ and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S; or

[0215] the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0216] The term “providing” as used herein with respect to providing a compound or substance covered by the invention, designates either directly administering such a compound or substance, or administering a prodrug, derivative or analog which forms an equivalent amount of the compound or substance within the body.

[0217] The compounds of formula I may be provided by oral or parenteral administration or in any common manner known to be an effective administration of a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof.

[0218] The therapeutically effective amount provided in the treatment of a specific CNS disorder may vary according to the specific condition(s) being treated, the size, age and response pattern of the patient, the severity of the disorder, the judgment of the attending physician and the like. In general, effective amounts for daily oral administration may be about 0.01 to 1,000 mg/kg, preferably about 0.5 to 500 mg/kg and effective amounts for parenteral administration may be about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg, preferably about 0.5 to 50 mg/kg.

[0219] In actual practice, the compounds of the invention are provided by administering the compound or a precursor thereof in a solid or liquid form, either neat or in combination with one or more conventional pharmaceutical carriers or excipients. Accordingly, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound of formula I

[0220] wherein

[0221] X is N or CR₃;

[0222] Y is N or CR₄;

[0223] Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR₁₁ or CSNR₁₂;

[0224] R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂R₁₃, CO₂R₁₄, CONR₁₅R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(n)R₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0225] R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring;

[0226] R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted;

[0227] R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S;

[0228] R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl and Q is CO then R₁₀ must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl;

[0229] n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2;

[0230] R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0231] R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀. R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted;

[0232] R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and

[0233] R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄alkyl group or R₂₁ and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S; or

[0234] the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0235] Solid carriers suitable for use in the composition of the invention include one or more substances which may also act as flavoring agents, lubricants, solubilizers, suspending agents, fillers, glidants, compression aides, binders, tablet-disintegrating agents or encapsulating materials. In powders, the carrier may be a finely divided solid which is in admixture with a finely divided compound of formula I. In tablets, the formula I compound may be mixed with a carrier having the necessary compression properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. Said powders and tablets may contain up to 99% by weight of the formula I compound. Solid carriers suitable for use in the composition of the invention include calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidine, low melting waxes and ion exchange resins.

[0236] Any pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier suitable for preparing solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrups and elixirs may be employed in the composition of the invention. Compounds of formula I may be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier such as water, an organic solvent, or a pharmaceutically acceptable oil or fat, or a mixture thereof. Said liquid composition may contain other suitable pharmaceutical additives such as solubilizers, emulsifiers, buffers, preservatives, sweeteners, flavoring agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, coloring agents, viscosity regulators, stabilizers, osmo-regulators, or the like. Examples of liquid carriers suitable for oral and parenteral administration include water (particularly containing additives as above, e.g., cellulose derivatives, preferably sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution), alcohols (including monohydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohols, e.g., glycols) or their derivatives, or oils (e.g., fractionated coconut oil and arachis oil). For parenteral administration the carrier may also be an oily ester such as ethyl oleate or isopropyl myristate.

[0237] Compositions of the invention which are sterile solutions or suspensions are suitable for intramuscular, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection. Sterile solutions may also be administered intravenously. Inventive compositions suitable for oral administration may be in either liquid or solid composition form.

[0238] For a more clear understanding, and in order to illustrate the invention more clearly, specific examples thereof are set forth hereinbelow. The following examples are merely illustrative and are not to be understood as limiting the scope and underlying principles of the invention in any way.

[0239] Unless otherwise stated, all parts are parts by weight. The term HPLC designates high performance liquid chromatography. The terms THF and DMSO designate tetrahydrofuran and dimethylsulfoxide, respectively.

EXAMPLE 1

[0240] Preparation of 1-[(4-methyl phenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylhydrazone

[0241] A stirred suspension of 1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]indole-3-carboxaldehyde (74.8 mg, 0.25 mmol) in isopropanol is treated with 2-hydrazine-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine hydrobromide (60.5 mg, 0.25 mmol) and concentrated HCl (5 μL), heated at 80° C. for 2 h, cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue is purified by HPLC to give the title product, 53.2 mg (42% yield), identified by HPLC¹ and mass spectral analyses.

[0242]¹HPLC conditions: Hewlett Packard 1100; YMC ODS-A 4.6 mm×50 mm 5 u column at 23° C.; 10 uL injection; Solvent A: 0.05% TFA/water; Solvent B: 0.05% TFA/acetonitrile; Gradient: Time 0: 98% A; 1 min: 98% A; 7 min: 10% A, 8 min: 10% A; 8.9 min: 98% A; Post time 1 min. Flow rate 2.5 mL/min; Detection: 220 and 254 nm DAD.

EXAMPLE 2

[0243] Preparation of 2-{Cyclohexyl[1-(Phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide

[0244] A solution of indole (11.7 g, 0.1 mol) in THF is added to a stirred mixture of NaH (60% dispersion in mineral oil, 4.2, g 0.105 mol), DMSO and THF. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 h at room temperature, cooled to 0° C., treated with phenylsulfonyl chloride (13.3 mL, 0.15 mol), stirred at ambient temperatures for 3 h, quenched with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue is crystallized in ethanol and filtered. The filtercake is air-dried to give 1-phenylsulfonylindole. A portion of this 1-phenylsulfonylindole (257 mg, 1.0 mmol) and cyclohexylcarbonyl chloride (0.175 mL, 1.3 mmol) in methylene chloride is treated with tin tetrachloride (97 μL, 1.9 mmol) at room temperature, shaken for 6 h, quenched with saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with ethylacetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo to give a residue. The residue is suspended in isopropanol, treated sequentially with concentrated HCl (50 μL) and aminoguanidine bicarbonate (100 mg, 0.5 mmol), heated at 80° C. for 4 h, cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue is purified by HPLC to afford the title product 37.7 mg (17% yield), identified by HPLC¹ and mass spectral analyses.

[0245]¹HPLC conditions: Hewlett Packard 1100; YMC ODS-A 4.6 mm×50 mm 5 u column at 23° C.; 10 uL injection; Solvent A: 0.05% TFA/water; Solvent B: 0.05% TFA/acetonitrile; Gradient: Time 0: 98% A; 1 min: 98% A; 7 min: 10% A, 8 min: 10% A; 8.9 min: 98% A; Post time 1 min. Flow rate 2.5 mL/min; Detection: 220 and 254 nm DAD.

EXAMPLES 3-9

[0246] Preparation of 2-[1-(Arylsulfonyl)indol-3-y]carboxaldehyde Hydrazone or Hydrazinecarboximidamide Derivatives

[0247] Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 1 and 2 and substituting the appropriate arylsulfonyl chloride and aminoguanidine, the compounds shown on Table I are obtained and identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses. HPLC conditions are the same as that used in Examples 1 and 2. TABLE I

EX Time NO R5 R6 R7 R8 R10 M + H Min 3 H H H H 4-methylphenyl 356 4.42 4 —CH₂—CH₂— CH₃ H 4-methylphenyl 396 4.52 5 H H H isopropyl phenyl 384 4.5 6 H H H benzyl phenyl 432 4.6 7 H H H isobutyl phenyl 398 4.6 8 H H H 2-chlorocinnamyl phenyl 478 5.2 9 H H H methyl phenyl 356 4.2

EXAMPLE 10

[0248] Preparation of 2{1-[5-Chloro-2-methyl-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboxamidamide

[0249] A mixture of 5-chloro-2-methylindole (248 mg, 0.5 mmol) and acetyl chloride (0.045 mL, 0.6 mmol) in methylene chloride is treated with a 1.0 M solution of tin tetrachloride in methylene chloride (0.55 μL, 0.55 mmol), shaken at room temperature for 6 h, quenched with saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue and phenylsulfonyl chloride (0.095 mL, 0.75 mmol) are dissolved in THF, treated with NaH (60 mg, 1.5 mmol) at room temperature, shaken for 6 h, quenched with saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo to give a residue. This residue is suspended in isopropanol, treated sequentially with aminoguanidine bicarbonate (100 mg, 0.5 mmol) and concentrated HCl (50 μL), heated at 80° C. for 4 h, cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. This resultant residue is purified by HPLC to afford the title product, 10 mg (5% yield), identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses, (M+H) 404; retention time 4.72 min.

EXAMPLES 11-122

[0250] Preparation of {[1-(Substituted-sulfonyl) indol-3-yl]alkylidene} hydrazinecarboximidamide Derivatives

[0251] Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 1, 2 and 10 and employing the appropriately substituted indole substrate, aryl or alkyl sulfonyl chloride and acyl halide, the compounds shown in Table II are obtained and identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses. The HPLC conditions used are the same as that described for Example 1. TABLE II

EX Time NO R1 R2 R8 R9 R10 M + H Min 11 H H CH₃ 4-fluorophenyl phenyl 450 5.07 12 H H CH₃ 3-chloro-4- phenyl 483 4.99 fluorophenyl 13 H H CH₃ 3,4-difluoro- phenyl 468 5.94 phenyl 14 H H CH₃ 2-naphthyl phenyl 482 5.75 15 H H CH₃ Phenyl phenyl 432 4.95 16 H CN CH₃ H phenyl 381 4.30 17 H I CH₃ H phenyl 481 4.75 18 H NO₂ CH₃ H phenyl 401 4.42 19 H F CH₃ H phenyl 374 4.42 20 H OCH₃ CH₃ H phenyl 372 4.39 21 H OCH₂C₆H₅ CH₃ H phenyl 448 5.05 22 H H CH₃ H 2-amino-4-methly-1,3-thiazol-5-yl 392 3.96 23 H H CH₃ H 4-aminophenyl 371 4.10 24 H H CH₃ H 2,1,3-benzothiodiazol-4-yl 414 4.28 25 H H CH₃ H 2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl 398 4.28 26 H H CH₃ H 4-biphenyl 432 5.02 27 H H CH₃ H 4-bromo-2,5-dichlorothien-3-yl 510 4.91 28 H H CH₃ H 4-bromo-5-chlorothien-2-yl 474 5.01 29 H H CH₃ H 3-bromo-5-chlorothien-2-yl 474 5.00 30 H H CH₃ H 4-bromophenyl 434 4.64 31 H H CH₃ H 2-bromophenyl 434 4.41 32 H H CH₃ H 3-bromophenyl 434 4.63 33 H H CH₃ H 5-bromothien-2-yl 440 4.66 34 H H CH₃ H 5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl 420 4.65 35 H H CH₃ H 5-chloro-3-methyl-1-benzothien- 460 5.23 2-yl 36 H H CH₃ H 6-chloroimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]- 436 4.32 thiazol-5-yl 37 H H CH₃ H 5-chlorothien-2-yl 396 4.63 38 H H CH₃ H 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthyl 449 4.78 39 H H CH₃ H 4,5-dibromothien-2-yl 519 4.65 40 H H CH₃ H 2,5-dichorophenyl 425 4.73 41 H H CH₃ H 2,5-dichlorothien-3-yl 431 4.76 42 H H CH₃ H 2,3-dichlorothien-5-yl 431 4.93 43 H H CH₃ H 3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl 375 4.26 44 H H CH₃ H 4-fluorophenyl 374 4.42 45 H H CH₃ H 5-[1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)- 510 5.00 1H-pyrazol-3-yl]thien-2-yl 46 H H CH₃ H 2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl 415 4.56 47 H H CH₃ H 1-methylimidazol-4-yl 360 3.56 48 H H CH₃ H 4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl 434 4.08 49 H H CH₃ H 5-[2-(methylthio)pyrimidin-4- 486 4.89 yl]thien-2-yl 50 H H CH₃ H 1-naphthyl 406 4.68 51 H H CH₃ H 2-nitrophenyl 401 4.36 52 H H CH₃ H 4-nitrophenyl 401 4.45 53 H H CH₃ H 5-pyridin-2-ylthien-2-yl 439 4.68 54 H H CH₃ H 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl 440 4.82 55 H H CH₃ H methyl 294 3.78 56 H H n-C₄H₉ H methyl 336 4.16 57 H H Cyclopropyl H methyl 320 3.69 58 H H CH₃ H n-butyl 336 4.74 59 H H n-C₄H₉ H n-butyl 378 5.34 60 H H Cyclopropyl H n-butyl 362 4.85 61 H H CH₃ H 4-methoxyphenyl 386 4.82 62 H H n-C₄H₉ H 4-methoxyphenyl 428 5.47 63 H H Cyclopropyl H 4-methoxyphenyl 412 4.99 64 H H CH₃ H 2-naphthyl 406 4.92 65 H H n-C₄H₉ H 2-naphthyl 448 5.72 66 H H Cyclopropyl H 2-naphthyl 432 5.56 67 H H n-C₄H₉ H phenyl 398 4.78 68 H H Cyclopropyl H phenyl 382 4.57 69 H H CH₃ H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 416 4.39 70 H H n-C₄H₉ H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 458 5.02 71 H H Cyclopropyl H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 442 4.96 72 H Cl CH₃ H methyl 328 3.92 73 H Cl n-C₄H₉ H methyl 370 4.50 74 H Cl Cyclopropyl H methyl 354 4.73 75 H Cl CH₃ H butyl 370 5.02 76 H Cl n-C₄H₉ H butyl 412 5.78 77 H Cl Cyclopropyl H butyl 396 5.34 78 H Cl CH₃ H 4-methoxyphenyl 420 5.17 79 H Cl n-C₄H₉ H 4-methoxyphenyl 462 5.72 80 H Cl Cyclopropyl H 4-methoxyphenyl 446 5.39 81 H Cl CH₃ H 2-naphthyl 440 5.30 82 H Cl n-C₄H₉ H 2-naphthyl 483 5.83 83 H Cl Cyclopropyl H 2-naphthyl 466 5.56 84 H Cl CH₃ H phenyl 390 4.53 85 H Cl n-C₄H₉ H phenyl 432 5.08 86 H Cl Cyclopropyl H phenyl 416 4.66 87 H Cl CH₃ H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 450 5.21 88 H Cl n-C₄H₉ H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 493 5.32 89 H Cl Cyclopropyl H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 476 5.02 90 H H CH₃ 4-chlorophenyl methyl 404 4.92 91 H H n-C₄H₉ 4-chlorophenyl methyl 446 5.41 92 H H Cyclopropyl 4-chlorophenyl methyl 430 4.63 93 H H Cyclopropyl 4-chlorophenyl 4-methoxyphenyl 523 5.71 94 H H Cyclopropyl 4-chlorophenyl 2-naphthyl 543 5.86 95 H H CH₃ 4-chlorophenyl phenyl 466 4.90 96 H H n-C₄H₉ 4-chlorophenyl phenyl 509 5.56 97 H H Cyclopropyl 4-chlorophenyl phenyl 493 5.27 98 H H CH₃ 4-chlorophenyl 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 527 5.37 99 H H Cyclopropyl 4-chlorophenyl 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 553 5.56 100 F H CH₃ H methyl 312 3.94 101 F H n-C₄H₉ H methyl 354 4.4  102 F H Cyclopropyl H methyl 338 4.15 103 F H CH₃ H n-butyl 354 4.86 104 F H n-C₄H₉ H n-butyl 396 5.62 105 F H Cyclopropyl H n-butyl 380 5.17 106 F H CH₃ H 4-methoxyphenyl 404 5.02 107 F H n-C₄H₉ H 4-methoxyphenyl 446 5.12 108 F H Cyclopropyl H 4-methoxyphenyl 430 4.76 109 F H CH₃ H 2-naphthyl 424 5.32 110 F H n-C₄H₉ H 2-naphthyl 466 5.34 111 F H Cyclopropyl H 2-naphthyl 450 4.80 112 F H CH₃ H phenyl 374 4.45 113 F H n-C₄H₉ H phenyl 416 5.34 114 F H Cyclopropyl H phenyl 400 4.61 115 F H CH₃ H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 434 4.97 116 F H n-C₄H₉ H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 476 5.64 117 F H Cyclopropyl H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 460 4.76 118 H F C₂H₅ H phenyl 388 — 119 H F C₂H₅ H 4-aminophenyl 403 — 120 H F C₂H₅ H 2-naphthyl 438 — 121 H Cl C₂H₅ H 4-aminophenyl 419 — 122 H Cl C₂H₅ H 2-naphthyl 454 —

EXAMPLE 123

[0252] Preparation of N-Pentyl-2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}-hydrazinecarboximidamide

[0253] A solution of thiosemicarbazide (2.73 g, 30 mmol) in ethanol is treated with methyl iodate (1.96 mL, 31.5 mmol), heated at 60° C. for 1 h, cooled to room temperature, stored at −20° C. for 18 h and filtered. The filtercake is washed with cold ethanol and dried in vacuo. The thus-obtained S-methylisothiosemicarbazide hydrogen iodide (46.6 mg, 0.2 mmol) is dissolved in methanol, treated with pentylamine (24 μL, 0.22 mmol), heated at 60° C. for 2 h, cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue, 4-pentylaminoguanidine hydrogen iodide (0.2 mmol), is suspended in isopropanol, added to a suspension of 3-acetyl-N-(phenylsulfonyl) indole (59 mg, 0.2 mmol) in isopropanol and concentrated HCl (50 μL), heated at 80° C. for 4 h, cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo to give a residue. This residue is purified by HPLC to give the title product, 17.9 mg (21% yield), identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses, (M+H) 426; retention time 4.75 min.

EXAMPLES 124-127

[0254] Preparation of N-Substituted-2-{1-[(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide

[0255] Using essentially the same procedure as described in Example 123 and employing the appropriate amine, the compounds shown in Table III are obtained and identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses. The HPLC conditions are the same as that used for Example 1. TABLE III

Ex Time No. R6 M + H Min. 124 n-propyl 398 5.08 125 benzyl 446 4.91 126 Pyridin-2-ylmethyl 447 4.54 127 2-hydroxyethyl 400 4.23

EXAMPLES 128-130

[0256] Preparation of 2[1-(1-Substituted-1 H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide

[0257] Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 10 and employing phenyl chloroformate, phenyl isocyanate or benzoyl chloride in place of ClSO₂R₁₀, the compounds shown in Table IV are obtained and identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses. TABLE IV

Ex Time No. Q R10 M + H Min. 128 CO₂ phenyl 336 4.52 129 CONH phenyl 335 4.39 130 CO phenyl 320 3.32

EXAMPLE 131

[0258] Preparation of Cyclohexane-1,3-dione mono-(4-chlorophenyl)hydrazone

[0259] A solution of 1,3-cyclohexanedione (5.05 g, 45 mmol) in water is treated over a 10 min period with an aqueous suspension of p-chlorophenylhydrazine (8.06 g, 45 mmol), stirred at room temperature for 16 h and filtered. The filtercake is washed with water and dried in vacuo to give the title product which is used as in Example 132.

EXAMPLE 132

[0260] Preparation of 6-Chloro-4-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole

[0261] A mixture of cyclohexane-1,3-dione mono-(4-chlorophenyl) hydrazone (45 mmol) obtained in Example 131 and trifluoroacetic acid (30 mL) is heated to 80° C. for 16 h, cooled to room temperature, poured over ice water and filtered. The filtercake is dried and recrystallized from ethanol/water to afford the title product, 4.2 g (42% yield), identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses.

EXAMPLE 133

[0262] Preparation of 6-chloro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-4-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole

[0263] A solution of 6-chloro-4-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole (109 mg, 0.5 mmol) in THF is treated with NaH (60 mg, 60% dispersion in mineral oil, 1.5 mmol), stirred for 30 min., treated with phenylsulfonyl chloride (132 mg, 0.5 mmol), shaken for 8 h and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with water and reconcentrated in vacuo to afford the title product which is used as is in Example 134.

EXAMPLE 134

[0264] Preparation of 2-[6-Chloro-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide

[0265] A suspension of 6-chloro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-4-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole (0.5 mmol) obtained in Example 133 in isopropanol and concentrated HCl (50 μL) is treated with aminoguanidine bicarbonate (66 mg, 0.5 mmol), heated at 80° C. for 4 h, cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant residue is purified by HPLC to afford the title product, 15.8 mg (7% yield), identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses, (M+H) 416; retention time 4.49 min.

EXAMPLES 135-142

[0266] Preparation of 2-[6-.Substituted-9-(arylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazine Carboximidamide Derivatives

[0267] Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 132 to 134 and employing the appropriate arylsulfonyl chloride and aminoguanidine derivative, the compounds shown in Table V are obtained and identified by HPLC and mass spectral analyses. TABLE V

EX Time NO R2 R5 R6 R10 M + H Min 135 H H H phenyl 382 4.48 136 Br H H phenyl -0- 4.80 137 Cl H H methyl 354 4.54 138 Cl H H 4-methoxyphenyl 446 4.59 139 Cl H H 2-naphthyl 466 4.78 140 Cl H H 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl 476 4.59 141 H —CH₂—CH₂— phenyl — — 142 Cl —CH₂—CH₂— phenyl — —

EXAMPLE 143

[0268] Comparative Evaluation of 5-HT6 Binding Affinity of Test Compounds

[0269] The affinity of test compounds for the serotonin 5-HT6 receptor is evaluated in the following manner. Cultured Hela cells expressing human cloned 5-HT6 receptors are harvested and centrifuged at low speed (1,000×g) for 10.0 min to remove the culture media. The harvested cells are suspended in half volume of fresh physiological phosphate buffered saline solution and recentrifuged at the same speed. This operation is repeated. The collected cells are then homogenized in ten volumes of 50 mM Tris.HCl (pH 7.4) and 0.5 mM EDTA. The homogenate is centrifuged at 40,000×g for 30.0 min and the precipitate is collected. The obtained pellet is resuspended in 10 volumes of Tris.HCl buffer and recentrifuged at the same speed. The final pellet is suspended in a small volume of Tris.HCl buffer and the tissue protein content is determined in aliquots of 10-25 μl volumes. Bovine Serum Albumin is used as the standard in the protein determination according to the method described in Lowry et al., J. Biol. Chem., 193:265 (1951). The volume of the suspended cell membranes is adjusted to give a tissue protein concentration of 1.0 mg/ml of suspension. The prepared membrane suspension (10 times concentrated) is aliquoted in 1.0 ml volumes and stored at −70° C. until used in subsequent binding experiments.

[0270] Binding experiments are performed in a 96 well microtiter plate format, in a total volume of 200 μl. To each well is added the following mixture: 80.0 μl of incubation buffer made in 50 mM Tris.HCl buffer (pH 7.4) containing 10.0 mM MgCl₂ and 0.5 mM EDTA and 20 μl of [³H]-LSD (S.A., 86.0 Ci/mmol, available from Amersham Life Science), 3.0 nM. The dissociation constant, K_(D) of the [³H]LSD at the human serotonin 5-HT6 receptor is 2.9 nM, as determined by saturation binding with increasing concentrations of [³H]LSD. The reaction is initiated by the final addition of 100.0 μl of tissue suspension. Nonspecific binding is measured in the presence of 10.0 μM methiothepin. The test compounds are added in 20.0 μl volume.

[0271] The reaction is allowed to proceed in the dark for 120 min at room temperature, at which time, the bound ligand-receptor complex is filtered off on a 96 well unifilter with a Packard Filtermate® 196 Harvester. The bound complex caught on the filter disk is allowed to air dry and the radioactivity is measured in a Packard TopCount® equipped with six photomultiplier detectors, after the addition of 40.0 μl Microscint®-20 scintillant to each shallow well. The unifilter plate is heat-sealed and counted in a PackardTopCount® with a tritium efficiency of 31.0%.

[0272] Specific binding to the 5-HT6 receptor is defined as the total radioactivity bound less the amount bound in the presence of 10.0 μM unlabeled methiothepin. Binding in the presence of varying concentrations of test compound is expressed as a percentage of specific binding in the absence of test compound. The results are plotted as logit % bound versus log concentration of test compound. Nonlinear regression analysis of data points with a computer assisted program Prism® yields both the IC₅₀ and the K_(i) values of test compounds with 95% confidence limits.

[0273] The amount of displacement by the test compound is given in percent (%) inhibition and is derived from the following equation: ${\% \quad {inhibition}} = {\left( {1 - \frac{B_{0} - {NSB}}{{TB} - {NSB}}} \right)100}$

[0274] where B₀ is the amount of CPM bound in the presence of the testing agent. NSB represents the CPM bound in the presence of a saturating concentration of a displacer and TB represents the total amount of CPM bound at zero (0) concentration of test compound.

[0275] Alternatively, a linear regression line of decline of data points is plotted, from which the IC₅₀ value can be read off and the K_(i) value determined by solving the following equation: $K_{i} = \frac{{IC}_{50}}{1 + {L/K_{D}}}$

[0276] where L is the concentration of the radioactive ligand used and K_(D) is the dissociation constant of the ligand for the receptor, both expressed in nM. Using this assay, the % inhibition and K_(i) values shown in Table VI are obtained. TABLE VI Test Compound Dose 5-HT6 Binding Ki (Ex. No.) (nM) % Inhibition (nM) — 1 1000 56.0 — 2 1000 69.2 — 3 1000 71.0 — 4 1000 71.9 — 5 1000 91.5 — 6 1000 97.8 11 7 1000 98.5 12 8 1000 95.2 — 9 1000 99.5  7 12 1000 75.6 — 13 1000 86.0 — 14 1000 85.4 — 15 100 67.1 — 16 10 40.6 — 17 10 52.0 — 18 100 77.9 — 19 100 82.4 — 20 100 76.3 — 21 1000 57.4 — 22 100 90.5  8 23 100 92.9  2 24 100 62.9 — 25 100 79.6 15 26 100 39.7 — 27 100 33.8 — 28 100 58.3 — 29 100 60.3 — — 30 100 65.0 — 31 100 83.3 13 32 100 76.2 26 33 100 76.4 19 34 100 48.0 — 35 100 39.1 — 36 100 86.4  8 37 100 75.2 25 38 100 25.8 — 39 100 62.1 — 40 100 33.3 — 41 100 55.0 — 42 100 46.3 — 43 100 68.9 — 44 100 75.5 33 45 100 23.5 — 46 100 41.0 — 47 100 81.1 46 48 100 43.9 — 49 100 33.0 — 50 100 63.5 — 51 100 70.1 — 52 100 28.2 — 53 100 38.4 — 54 100 26.2 — 55 100 68.2 — 56 1000 76.9 — — 57 100 40.4 — 58 100 78.3 — 59 1000 77.7 — 60 100 62.6 — 61 1000 83.6 — 62 1000 68.3 — 63 100 58.9 — 64 1000 89.6 — 65 1000 62.3 — 66 10 35.1 — 67 100 66.3 — 68 10 68.3 — 69 100 72.4 12 70 1000 89.8 — 71 100 61.5 — 72 100 75.1 — 73 1000 71.0 — 74 100 68.5 — 75 100 84.6 — 76 1000 74.5 — 77 10 44.3 — 78 1000 85.5 — 79 1000 61.0 — 80 100 74.0 — 82 1000 46.9 — 83 1000 89.3 — 84 100 81.7 — — 85 100 57.5 — 86 100 78.1 — 87 1000 88.9 — 88 1000 65.6 — 89 100 71.9 — 90 1000 63.5 — 91 1000 9.0 — 94 1000 27.9 — 95 1000 89.6 — 96 1000 20.0 — 98 1000 53.3 — 100 100 83.8 18 101 1000 77.4 — 102 10 41.1 — 103 100 69.4 — 104 1000 81.3 — 105 100 58.4 — 106 1000 64.4 — 107 1000 61.5 — 109 1000 67.8 — 110 1000 60.2 — 111 100 27.6 — 112 1000 94.6 — 114 100 85.2 — 115 1000 89.2 — 116 1000 73.5 — 117 100 78.2 — — 118 — —  7 119 — —  2 120 — — 85 121 — —  9 122 — — 101  123 100 34.0 12 124 100 75.2 — 125 100 39.1 — 126 100 37.7 — 127 100 83.3 — 128 100 23.9 — 129 100 23.4 — 130 100 49.6 — 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I

wherein X is N or CR₃; Y is N or CR₄; Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR or CSNR₁₂; R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂R₁₃, CO₂ R₁₄, CONR₁₅R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(n)R₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5-to 7-membered ring; R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted; R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S; R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl and Q is CO then R₁₀ must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl; n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄alkyl group or R₂, and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S; or the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein Q is SO₂.
 3. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁₀ is an aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S.
 4. The compound according to claim 1 wherein X is CR₃ and Y is CR₄.
 5. The compound according to claim 2 wherein R₉ is H.
 6. The compound according to claim 2 wherein X is CR₃; Y is CR₄; and R₉ is H.
 7. The compound according to claim 6 wherein R₁₀ is an aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-member bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S.
 8. The compound according to claim 2 selected from the group consisting of: 2-[6-chloro-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[6-chloro-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylhydrazone; 2-[6-chloro-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl(methyl)hydrazone; 2-[9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[6-bromo-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylhydrazone; 2-[6-bromo-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl(methyl)hydrazone; 2-[6-bromo-9-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{6-chloro-9-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{9-[(2-amino-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)sulfonyl]-6-chloro-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[6-chloro-9-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{6-chloro-9-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(9-phenylsulfonyl-2,2,6-trimethyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(6-methyl-2-phenyl-9-phenylsulfonyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(6-methyl-9-phenylsulfonyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(6-isopropyl-2,2-dimethyl-9-phenylsulfonyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(6-isopropyl-2-phenyl-9-phenylsulfonyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[2,2-dimethyl-9-phenylsulfonyl-6-(trifluoromethoxy)-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(6-bromo-2,2-dimethyl-9-phenylsulfonyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(6-bromo-2-phenyl-9-phenylsulfonyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; the stereoisomers thereof; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 9. The compound according to claim 6 selected from the group consisting of: 1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylhydrazone; 2-({1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl(methyl)hydrazone; 2-{cyclohexyl[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{2-methyl-1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{2-phenyl-1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{3-methyl-1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]butylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-chloro-2-methyl-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-cyano-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-iodo-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-nitro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{[5-methoxy-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{[5-(benzyloxy)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(2-amino-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4-ylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-(2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-bromo-2,5-dichlorothien-3-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-bromo-5-chlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(3-bromo-5-chlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(5-bromothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(5-chloro-3-methyl-1-benzothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(6-chloroimidazo[2, 1-b][1,3]thiazol-5-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(5-chlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[1-(1-{[5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthyl]sulfonyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4,5-dibromothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(2,5-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(2,5-dichlorothien-3-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4,5-dichlorothien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-({5-[1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]thien-2-yl}sulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[1-(1-{[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]sulfonyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-({5-[2-(methylthio)pyrimidin-4-yl]thien-2-yl}sulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-(1-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(2-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(5-pyridin-2-ylthien-2-yl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[1-(1-{[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]sulfonyl}-1H-indol-3-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}pentylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(cyclopropyl{1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[{1-[1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{cyclopropyl[1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]pentylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{cyclopropyl[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(cyclopropyl{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{5-chloro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[{5-chloro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}(cyclopropyl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[[5-chloro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{5-chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-[{5-chloro-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}(cyclopropyl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(cyclopropyl{6-fluoro-1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}methylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[6-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{cyclopropyl[6-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]methylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl}ethylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-fluoro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl}propylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-fluoro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-(1-{1-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl}propylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide; 2-{1-[5-chloro-1-(2-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-{1-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethylidene}hydrazinecarboximidamide; the stereoisomers thereof; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 10. A method for the treatment of a disorder of the central nervous system related to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor in a patient in need thereof which comprises providing to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

wherein X is N or CR₃; Y is N or CR₄; Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR or CSNR₁₂; R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂R₁₃, CO₂ R₁₄, CONR₁₅ R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(n)R₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5-to 7-membered ring; R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted; R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S; R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₀-C₆alkyl and Q is CO then R₁₀ must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl; n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄alkyl group or R₂, and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S; or the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said disorder is a motor disorder, anxiety disorder or cognitive disorder.
 12. The method according to claim 10 wherein said disorder is schizophrenia or depression.
 13. The method according to claim 11 wherein said disorder is Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.
 14. The method according to claim 11 wherein said disorder is attention deficit disorder or obssesive compulsive disorder.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound of formula I

wherein X is N or CR₃; Y is N or CR₄; Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR or CSNR₁₂; R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂R₁₃, CO₂R₁₄, CONR₁₅R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(n)R₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring; R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted; R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S; R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl and Q is CO then R₁₀ must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl; n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted CO₁—C₄alkyl group or R₂₁ and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S; or the stereoisomers thereof, the tautomers thereof or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 16. The composition according to claim 15 having a formula I compound wherein Q is SO₂.
 17. The composition according to claim 16 having a formula I compound wherein R₁₀ is an aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-member bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from O, N or S.
 18. The composition according to claim 1 having a formula I compound wherein X is CR₃ and Y is CR₄.
 19. The composition according to claim 18 having a formula I compound wherein R₉ is H.
 20. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I

wherein X is N or CR₃; Y is N or CR₄; Q is SO₂, CO, CO₂, CONR or CSNR₁₂; R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CN, OCO₂R₁₃, CO₂R₁₄, CONR₁₅R₁₆, NR₁₇SO₂R₁₈, NR₁₉COR₂₈, SO_(R) ₂₀, NR₂₁R₂₂, OR₂₃, COR₂₄ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₅ and R₆ maybe taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring; R₈ is H or a C₁-C₆alkyl or C₃-C₁₀cycloalkyl group each optionally substituted; R₉ is H, halogen, CN, NO₂, NR₂₅R₂₆, OR₂₇ or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or R₈ and R₉ may be taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N or S; R₁₀ is a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted or an optionally substituted 8- to 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having a N atom at the bridgehead and optionally containing 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S with the proviso that when R₈ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl and 0 is CO then R₁₀ must be other than C₁-C₆alkyl or aryl; n is 0 or an integer of 1 or 2; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₈, R₂₀, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each independently H or a C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group each optionally substituted; R₁₅ and R₁₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl group; and R₁₇, R₁₉, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each independently H or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄alkyl group or R₂₁ and R₂₂ may be taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form a 5- to 7-membered ring optionally containing another heteroatom selected from O, N or S which process comprises reacting a compound of formula XIV

wherein Q, X, Y, R₁, R₂, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are described hereinabove with an aminoguanidine derivative of formula V

wherein R₅, R₆ and R₇ are described hereinabove in the presence of an acid optionally in the presence of a solvent. 